Lynn Ruth [rating:5] (5/5 stars)
HILLBARN THEATRE PRESENTS…..
JOHN & JEN
Music by Andrew Lippa; Lyrics Tom Greenwald
Directed by Jay Manley
Starring Alicia Teeter and William Giammona
Our brothers and sisters are there with us
From the dawn of our personal stories
To the inevitable dusk.
Susan Scarf Merrell
Cast aside your preconceived notions about what a musical is before you come to this beautifully staged and artistically produced play. Jay Manley has taken a weak text and poorly developed plot and transformed it into a theatrical work of art. jon & jen is the musical story of a sister and brother who protect and love each other, yet are foiled by their own inadequacies. Jen is the older sister determined to protect her baby brother from their dysfunctional parents. Sadly, because she is only a child, she cannot keep him from absorbing their irrational behavior and warped values. She can only give her brother her unconditional love and support. John, determined to defy his sister and get his father’s approval enlists in the army and is killed. When Jen marries, she names her baby after her lost brother and when her own marriage falls apart, she smothers her son with love and protection just as she did her brother.
It is very difficult to create believable characters when the only vehicle is song. Andrew Lippa’s music and Tom Greenwald’s lyrics are lovely and deep but alone they cannot draw the depth of character we need to fully understand and relate to this poignant story.
Alicia Teeter is perfectly cast in her role as Jen. She manages to touch our hearts with every note she sings and with every nuance of expression. She is a fine actress to the core. Andrew Lippa has a much more challenging job. He must portray a baby and grow up into a man in both acts. He carries it off very well…but the audience must take a leap of faith to believe in the validity of his character.
And that is where Jay Manley’s genius shines through. By choreographing the movements of these two fine performers and creating costume changes that tell as much of the story as the libretto itself, he carries the story through to its lovely resolution when the two stars sing the unforgettable Every Goodbye Is Hello. Robert Broadfoot has outdone himself in designing the set…it is simple and yet perfect for action that spans 42 years. He has created four different levels to indicate the many changes of time and place on the spacious open stage at Hillbarn.
“Ultimately this musical play is about familial love, loss, grief, forgiveness of others and self, and most important, moving on – learning how to let go and forge a way forward,” says Manley. “Who has not been touched by these universal tests?”
This is not a play for everyone. It is deep and disturbing and will touch your heart, if you let it. Kudos to Hillbarn for including it in their season. jon and jen is a theatrical masterpiece.
IF YOU GO:
JON & JEN CONTINUES THROUGH APRIL 7, 2013
Ticket Flash Sale! $28 tickets to any remaining shows of “john & jen” Enter promo code “HBFLASH” when buying online and instantly save. MORE INFORMATION AT hillbarntheatre.org or 650 349 6411
HILLBARN THEATRE is located at 1285 Hillsdale Blvd. in Foster City.
